Iacocca Silver Mustang celebrates 45th anniversary

Lee Iacocca’s name may pop up more frequently these days in Chrysler-related matters, but it’s clear his heart still lies with the other one-third of the Detroit Three – Ford. Iacocca, designer Michael Leone and California-based coachbuilder Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters have came up with this Iacocca Silver Mustang, limited to a 45 unit production run.

At first sight you may notice a ilttle difference – this is more than just a kitted up Mustang. Its actually a whole new custom made body installed ontop of the 2010 Mustang chassis. It’s the most obvious from the side profile – the roofline is alot more like a fastback, rather than the 2010 Mustang’s rear section which has a more prominent boot.

Two engine options are available – a 320hp 4.6 litre V8 (up 20 horses from the standard V8 Mustang, let’s not talk about the V6 Mustang), or a supercharged version of the same engine putting out 400 horsepower. The engines are available exclusively with a 5-speed manual for these cars.

And why a Mustang? He was deeply involved in the production of the first Ford Mustang, which was launched in 1964. It so happens that 1964 is also the same year he became president of Ford’s Ford Division (yes it sounds weird, but as opposed to Ford’s other brands) after joining Ford way earlier in 1946.

Look after the jump for more pix of the Iacocca Mustang.
[zenphotopress number=99 album=342]

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.

Classic American muscle, she's a beauty I'll give you that. Extremely underpowered for a 4.6. I bet this car will slide off a cliff just like any other American sports car. That's why the new fast and furious is a hoax. But don't say anything bad about Chip Foose, that guy I like.

Looks very much like a Modern interpretation of the 69 MK1 fastback coupe. Nice as it is, I guess they could have tried to do something more unique though, like perhaps the modern interpretation of the limited run Mach1 fastback.

its not all about specific peak HPs. I tell you, you have to drive one to appreciate it. The Euro monsters and the American muscle are completely different animals (same goes to the high RPM Japanese 4 and turbo monsters).

Able to spin your rear tyres going at 120kmh in 3rd sure makes your heart skip faster. Nothing short of a highly tuned force fed engine will give you that low rpm "anytime-ready-to-smoke-yer-tires-chassis-twisting-torque" better than American iron. As a toy it is fun, but it gets old quick.

The V10 and V8 BMW engine cost magnitudes more than the simple ford. More so even the old small Block GMs.

Thats why these are so popular, big power with small budget. Of course you do throw refinement out the window. Tuners actually prefer the old "Five Oh" more than the new modular V8s.

BMpower, if those are the best "points" you can mount up then its quite difficult to respond. I'm not quite sure what point you are trying to make.

You will understand what I mean once you have driven a small block. Until then, its an act of futility trying to reason, not unlike with a brick wall. Besides, I didn't say HP isn't important, just where the power is made in the rev band it is made adds to the characteristic of the car. Then, you have the exhaust note of a small block. All these characteristics of the engine makes the car what it is.

You wont call a Mustang a Mustang, or Corvette a Corvette etc when you fit it with a Turbo 4 even making 500hp, now would you? Ford failed big time when they fitted thier early 80's Fox bodied Mustangs with a 4 pot, even when factory forcefed. Buyers didn't accept it.

Like I said, these "pony" cars are cheap, powerful, simple and crude. For a matter of perspective a V8 Mustang cost 1/3 that of your M5. No doubt that the M5 is the "better" car. Better can be subjective, but begs the question, is it 3x better? How do you even quantify "better" when they are not even competing in the same market segment?

—-

nighttrain said,

June 23, 2009 @ 4:32 pm

Could it ba a 1971 Mach 1 Fastback I saw sometime ago in Bangi? Blue with the standard stripes.

—

There's a MACH 1 fastback in Malaysia? Those were quite rare. I'm impressed. There were select few optioned with a 428…now that a crazy car to drive.

so…some may have seen the mustang in m'sia eh? same with me…. i saw one pre facelift 2010 model in shah alam. it was blue with white stripes on it. it was a looker dude.. i dont see the owner coz it was park at the side of the road. such a breath taking moment to see an american muscle here in m'sia…

i think it like this as make it simple. U all know that American Muscle mean for big & powerfull. so the concept are there. For German car it base on luxury & performance, so the concept also there. I also aggre that bmw M6 can get 500hp from 5.0 engine! even the M3 deliver 400++ hp from 4.0 engine. but for 320hp out from 4.6 engine it a raw power coz it not the supercharge mean that the mustang must be the wild stallion. BMW as we know always come with turbo charge.. so it performance. Mustang are sport car. so much diffranceses..

You can either post as a guest or have an option to register. Among the advantages of registering is once a name has been registered, a guest cannot post using that name. If you have an account, please login before commenting. If you wish to have a profile photo next to your name, register at Gravatar using the same e-mail address you use to comment.